Where blood is thicker than water…

Episode 4: Still of the Night

The Collinses were horrified when Pearl told them she was considering Megan as her unborn daughter’s name.

Damien told Pearl about Megan’s murder without giving away the full details.

Damien vowed to keep Pearl away from Quinn’s clutches.

The Collins home, middle of the night

Pearl tossed and turned in her bed, unable to sleep. Images of the car accident kept replaying in her head like a movie stuck in a loop. She sat up and reached for the lamp on the nightstand, turning it on. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she got out of bed and headed for the rocking chair, where her robe and slippers were. Astrid and Damien had walked back to her car and gotten a bag that contained some of her clothes and personal care items. She slipped on the lilac colored robe and tied it around her, then stepped into her slippers.

Pearl looked out the window. The rain had stopped and there was a slight breeze that made the trees sway back and forth like they were dancing. Perhaps a step outside might clear her head.

She quietly left her room and tiptoed down the hall so she wouldn’t wake up Caleb, Rhiannon, Astrid and Damien. The last thing she needed was for any of them to rise from their slumber and ask her why she couldn’t sleep, and she especially wanted to make sure Damien wasn’t disturbed. His sudden interest in her made her feel uneasy, and with her divorce still fresh, she sure wasn’t ready for romance right now. She was focused on the job that awaited her in Bangor and giving birth to a healthy baby girl.

There was a door in the kitchen that led outside to a porch; Pearl decided to use that one instead of the front entrance. She unlocked the door and a blast of refreshing cool air met her face. Brushing back her long red hair with her right hand she went out onto the porch and took a deep breath. She looked up at the sky, which was still filled with dark clouds, but she saw a few stars shining through. Crickets were chirping, an owl was hooting and the trees rustled in the gentle night wind.

Pearl eased herself into a chair on the porch and leaned back, closing her eyes, letting the dark of the night relax her. She might just fall asleep out here…

Then the porch lights suddenly came on, and Pearl sat up, startled. She looked towards the light and saw Damien standing by the door. So much for not waking him up.

“What in the hell are you doing out here Red?” he barked. It’s after 2 o’clock in the morning!”

“As a matter of fact I do, and I couldn’t sleep anyway,” Damien said, his face relaxing a bit. “I went to see if you were okay, and when I saw the bed was empty, I figured you would be either in the living room or sitting in the kitchen. And when I went into the kitchen I saw the door was unlocked.” He reached out for her. “You must be cold—“

Pearl backed away. “I’m fine. You don’t need to keep me warm.” She frowned at him. “What were you doing checking on me in the first place? If you had come into that dark bedroom, I would have mistaken you for some intruder and you would have gotten an earful, that’s for sure.”

“Are you always a spitfire in the middle of the night?” Damien inquired. “And why are you backing away from me? I’m not going to hurt you.” He reached out with his left hand and stroked her hair. “Redheads have made quite an impression in this town,” he murmured.

Pearl smacked his hand away. “What’s that supposed to mean?” she angrily wanted to know.

Damien didn’t answer, instantly realizing he shouldn’t have made that comment. Now he would have to tell her everything—about Megan…and Quinn.

“Damien, I’m waiting for you to explain to me about what you just said. Is there something I should know?” Pearl demanded. She stared at him intently.

Just then, Caleb, Rhiannon and Astrid appeared on the porch. “What’s going on out here?” Caleb asked Pearl and Damien.

Damien sighed and looked at his relatives. “I think we need to tell her about Quinn,” he said.

****************************************

The blue Chevy Cobalt still sat against the pine tree, its front end slightly dented and scratched. All the doors were locked. The inside of the car was clean.

Quinn Nightshade’s curiosity was peaked. He had driven by the car earlier on his way to the Lawrence farm but didn’t stop to check it out. Now he furiously wondered who the owner of the car was and if they were still in Haven. He or she couldn’t have gotten far in the woods, unless…

Unless someone came to their rescue, and I think I know who the knight in shining armor is, he thought to himself. Oh yes, I’m definitely going to pay a visit to the Collins house tomorrow and see for myself who drives this car…

Smiling evilly, he sauntered away from Pearl’s damaged vehicle and headed to his car, a black Corvette. He revved it up and headed for home, fascinated by his mystery driver.

WELCOME TO DARK HAVEN

This is a web drama with a supernatural twist...about a very small town with a very tiny---and unusual---population. When Pearl Tyler, a pregnant divorcee trying to get a fresh start unexpectedly winds up in Haven, Maine thanks to a car accident, her arrival promises to impact everyone who lives here.

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ABOUT BREE

Some of you familiar with Wordpress and the size acceptance community know I have a blog on the Fatosphere called Life on Fats. I've always enjoyed fiction writing and I hope you take some time out to read this web drama!

I'm 34, single, childless by choice and have a beagle named Bailey. I live in Maryland and enjoy writing, shopping, music, dancing and singing karaoke.